NBC Cuts Ties with Legendary Al Michaels for NFL Playoffs, Report Claims

In a move that's sure to send shockwaves through the sports broadcasting world, NBC is reportedly parting ways with legendary announcer Al Michaels ahead of the upcoming NFL playoffs.

According to a Tuesday report by Andrew Marchand of the New York Post, the 79-year-old Michaels was surprisingly unaware of his precarious position at the network as recently as last month. He reportedly believed he'd still be calling a postseason game for NBC, though he remained in the dark about his broadcast partner.

"It's in my deal," Michaels reportedly told Marchand when questioned about NBC's apparent uncertainty. "Where are you hearing that from? That's part of my deal. Are you hearing something that I'm not hearing?"

Michaels, considered one of the greatest play-by-play announcers in American sports history, solidified his iconic status at NBC as the voice of "Sunday Night Football" after joining the network in 2006. However, he was replaced in that role by Mike Tirico in 2022, leading to a strained relationship with NBC executives, according to Marchand.

Despite the friction, Michaels was offered an "emeritus" title, allowing him to contribute to the network's playoff coverage. He and analyst Tony Dungy even called last January's thrilling Jacksonville Jaguars comeback victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, which Michaels famously dismissed as "internet compost" when criticized for a perceived lack of energy in the booth.

Come January 13th, however, when the playoffs kick off, NBC will present two broadcasting teams for its four games. Tirico and Cris Collinsworth will handle the lion's share with three assignments, while college football duo Noah Eagle and Todd Blackledge will take the reins for the remaining game. Eagle, the 27-year-old rising star, will also be featured on Nickelodeon's "SpongeBob SquarePants" telecast of the Super Bowl.

Michaels' departure marks the end of a remarkable chapter in NFL broadcasting. His absence from the playoffs will be keenly felt, as no one has graced the booth for more Super Bowls than him. Michaels and the late Pat Summerall share the record with 11 assignments to the NFL's biggest game.

While Michaels continues to call "Thursday Night Football" for Amazon Prime Video, his absence from NBC's playoff coverage signifies a changing of the guard in the world of sports broadcasting. It remains to be seen how fans and the industry will react to this unexpected development, but one thing's for sure: Al Michaels' legacy as a sports broadcasting legend remains firmly cemented.